After graduating from Monte in 1960, Deirdre has enjoyed a remarkable career in education, leadership and consulting and is an influential guide for executives and leaders within Catholic Education.

Deirdre’s own educational journey is illustrious; concluding with a Fellowship to complete a PhD in Educational Leadership at the University of Manitoba, Canada (the first Australian woman to achieve such a PhD). Her love of education began with a Teachers College Scholarship after graduating from Monte and, having gained her Teachers Certificate in the State system, on the invitation of the Sisters of Mercy North Sydney, she returned to the College as a teacher of Mathematics and Physical Education, during which time she introduced Lifesaving to the Swimming program at the College. Enjoying her work in education, Deirdre’s drive for knowledge led her to accept a Commonwealth Scholarship to complete her Honours Degree in Geography at the University of New England, which was followed by another Commonwealth Scholarship to complete her Master of Educational Administration Degree.

After such profound educational achievements, Deirdre’s career progressed and she was asked by the Sisters of Mercy Ballarat to become the first lay Principal of St Martin’s in the Pines, (now known as Damascus College, Ballarat). With her experience as a teacher and Principal, coupled with her extensive education, Deirdre worked in a consultative capacity with both government and Catholic Education bodies to create programs for prominent educational leaders. As the Director of the Ballarat Campus of the Institute of Catholic Education (ICE) in Victoria, Deirdre led the campus in the significant transition of the ICE into Australian Catholic University (ACU), where, as the first Rector, she also became one of the first Associate Professors of ACU. It was during her time with ACU that Deirdre lectured in Educational Leadership in Mauritius, New Zealand and Hong Kong, where she began ACU’s Educational Leadership Post-Graduate Study Program.

Deirdre travelled the Eastern seaboard of Australia to share her knowledge with educational leaders on behalf of various Catholic Dioceses, serving on Diocesan Education Boards and becoming the first Chairman of the Board of Directors of St Columba’s College in Essendon. Deirdre then returned to Sydney as the Head of the School of Educational Leadership in ACU. It was during this time that Deirdre returned to Monte as the first Chairman of the Board of Directors, where she was significantly involved in the decision to develop the McQuoin Centre. Deirdre was made a Fellow of the Australian Council of Educational Leaders [NSW] and the College of Educators. She has served on the Board of the Loyola Institute, which led to her involvement with the development of St Ignatius’ College, Riverview’s Aligning Leadership, Ignatian Spirituality and College Goals; a program for executive staff and college leaders, in which she is still involved. Deirdre is a published author of books and articles and has presented at numerous conferences on topics such as: school culture, bullying of staff, school law, educational change and leadership.